Leeds United snap up set piece wizard coach Gianni Vio – see how he transformed Fiorentina

The Italian forged a reputation as an expert in dead ball situations during coaching spells with Serie A giants Fiorentina and AC Milan.

More recently, he worked behind the scenes at Championship rivals Brentford, helping improve the Bees’ set-piece strike rate considerably following his arrival in 2015.

“He’s a specialist and he’s one of the best in the world,” Christiansen said.

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Leeds United have appointed Gianni Vio to the club's backroom staff

“His CV and all the numbers tell good things about him, what he has achieved in many clubs. One of them is Fiorentina where he did a fantastic job. He has many interesting ideas.

“The club told me there was a possibility (or recruiting Vio) and of course I want to have the best with me. I’m more than happy with that.”

While Fiorentina’s upsurge in productivity during Vio’s tenure undoubtedly required talent on the pitch to implement, the above footage demonstrates how the 63-year-old organised the team in order to increase their efficiency from dead ball scenarios.

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Derby County came from behind to beat Leeds 2-1 earlier this week

His addition to the Whites’ backroom comes at a pivotal point in the season, with Leeds picking up just one win from their last six to drop out of the playoff places in the Championship table.

Results over the last six games would leave Leeds 23rd in the Championship table – and with a trip to in-form Brentford next up for the Yorkshire giants, Christiansen’s job will not be getting any easier.